Attributed to Charles Joseph NATOIRE (1700-1777) Young Man Playing Flute

Attributed to Charles Joseph NATOIRE (1700-1777)
Young Man Playing the Flute on Clouds

Red chalk and white crayon on blue paper

23.7 x 19.8 cm

Provenance
Private collection, France

This red chalk drawing, depicting a young man playing the flute upon clouds, carries within it the distinctive characteristics of the work of Charles-Joseph Natoire, an emblematic artist of the 18th-century French. Firstly, the use of red chalk, a medium cherished at the time for its warmth and ability to capture the softness of flesh, is in perfect harmony with Natoire's predilection for vibrant hues and delicate outlines. The presence of white crayon on blue paper enhances the light and gives an almost divine dimension to the subject, reminiscent of Natoire's attraction to mythological and allegorical scenes.

The composition, with the relaxed pose and melancholic gaze of the young man, is typical of the grace and elegance that characterize the Rococo style, in which Natoire was an unrivaled master. Moreover, the fluidity of the lines and the delicacy of the features reflect Natoire's academic training and his skill at conveying movement and emotion, qualities he imparted as the director of the French Academy in Rome.

The ancient attribution to Natoire, therefore, finds a plausible echo in this drawing, which skillfully combines technique and aesthetics to evoke the artistic sensibility of the 18th century, a period during which Natoire helped shape artistic taste through his paintings, his drawings, and his pedagogical influence.